Air flow distribution system for data center server racks

ABSTRACT

An air flow distribution system for cooling server racks includes at least one server rack partially defining a hot aisle and a cold aisle, a first air foil disposed above the server rack, and a second air foil disposed above the first air foil. The first air foil and the second air foil are configured to receive air from the hot aisle, and to form turbulent wake patterns in the cold aisle partially defined by the server rack. The air flow distribution system may include a convex ceiling member above the second air foil. A corresponding method includes causing air to be directed between a first air foil disposed above a server rack and a second air foil disposed above the first air foil to form turbulent wake patterns in the cold aisle. An electrical enclosure assembly includes a receptacle and a cover member configured as an air foil.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/US2013/028475 filed on Feb. 28, 2013, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/605,149 filed on Feb. 29, 2012,the entire contents of each of which are incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND

Due to the generation of large quantities of heat by electronicscontained within data center server racks, large amounts of power areconsumed for cooling of server racks. A contributing factor to the largepower consumption lies in the irregularities in the air flow that coolsthe server racks.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an air flowdistribution system for cooling server racks that reduce the powerconsumption required for cooling of server racks.

More particularly, in one exemplary embodiment, an air flow distributionsystem for cooling server racks includes at least one server rackpartially defining a hot aisle and a cold aisle, a first air foildisposed above the at least one server rack, and a second air foildisposed above the first air foil. The first air foil and the second airfoil are configured to receive air from the hot aisle, and to formturbulent wake patterns in the cold aisle partially defined by the atleast one server rack. The air flow distribution system may furtherinclude a ceiling member disposed above the second air foil. The firstair foil, the second air foil, and the ceiling member may be configuredto receive air from the hot aisle and to form turbulent wake patterns inthe cold aisle partially defined by the at least one server rack.

The air flow distribution system may further include at least one aircirculation member that is configured to direct air between the firstair foil and the second air foil or between the ceiling member and thefirst air foil and between the first air foil and the second air foil.The one or more air circulation members may include at least one fan.

In still a further exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of theceiling member may include a convex surface that interfaces with the airflowing from the hot aisle to the cold aisle. The ceiling member isdisposed at least partially downstream of the second air foil.

The first air foil may include a surface that is convex with respect tothe air flow, and the second air foil may include a first surface thatis concave with respect to the air flow and a second surface that isconvex with respect to the air flow.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the first air foil may beconfigured and movably coupled to cover an electrical enclosurereceptacle configured to receive at least one cable or a support memberfor the at least one cable for the at least one server rack. The firstair foil may be configured to rotatably move to enable access to the atleast one cable or a support member for the at least one cable. Thecable may include an electrical cable, a fiber-optic cable, or acombination of an electrical cable and a fiber-optic cable.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure relates to amethod for distributing air flow for cooling server racks. The methodincludes disposing at least one server rack at least partially defininga hot aisle and a cold aisle, and causing air to be directed between afirst air foil disposed above the at least one server rack and a secondair foil disposed above the first air foil. The air exiting from thefirst air foil and the second air foil form turbulent wake patterns inthe cold aisle at least partially defined by the at least one serverrack.

In another exemplary embodiment, causing the air to be directed betweenthe first air foil and the second air foil includes causing the air tobe directed between a ceiling member disposed above the second air foiland the second air foil, and between the first air foil and the secondair foil. The air exiting from the ceiling member, the first air foil,and the second air foil form turbulent wake patterns in the cold aislepartially defined by the at least one server rack. The ceiling membermay be configured as a convex surface that interfaces with the airflowing from the hot aisle to the cold aisle, and the method may includecausing the air to be directed between the ceiling member configured asa convex surface and the second air foil and between the second air foiland the first air foil, wherein the air exiting from the at least oneceiling member configured as a convex surface, the second air foil, andthe first air foil form turbulent wake patterns in the cold aislepartially defined by the at least one server rack.

In one other exemplary embodiment, the first air foil is configured andmovably coupled to cover an electrical enclosure receptacle configuredto receive at least one cable or a support member for the at least onecable, and the method may include causing the air to be directed betweenthe first air foil that is configured and movably coupled to cover theelectrical enclosure receptacle and the second air foil.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the first air foil is furtherconfigured to rotatably move to enable access to the at least one cableor a support member for the at least one cable, and the method mayinclude causing the air to be directed between the first air foil thatis configured to rotatably move to enable access to the at least onecable or a support member for the at least one cable and the second airfoil. The cable received by the electrical enclosure receptacle mayinclude an electrical cable, a fiber-optic cable, or a combination of anelectrical cable and a fiber-optic cable, and the method may includecausing the air to be directed between the first air foil that isconfigured and movably coupled to cover the electrical enclosurereceptacle receiving the cable and the second air foil.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure relates toan electrical enclosure assembly for at least one server rack at leastpartially defining a hot aisle and a cold aisle, that includes anelectrical enclosure receptacle configured to receive at least one cableor a support member of the at least one cable, and a cover membermovably coupled to cover the electrical enclosure receptacle, the covermember configured as an air foil for air flowing between the hot aisleand the cold aisle.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the electrical enclosureassembly, the cover member configured as an air foil is a first airfoil, and the electrical enclosure assembly may further include a secondair foil, wherein the first air foil and the second air foil areconfigured to form in the cold aisle turbulent wake patterns in the airflowing into the cold aisle. An air circulation member may direct theair flowing between the first air foil and the second air foil. Thecover member may be configured to rotatably move to enable access to theat least one cable or a support member of the at least one cable.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the electrical enclosure assemblymay further include a lighting enclosure assembly configured to receiveat least one lighting member configured and disposed to project light,wherein at least a portion of the lighting enclosure assembly forms anextension of the air foil. The electrical enclosure assembly may furtherinclude at least one lighting member disposed in the lighting enclosureassembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described withreference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a data center subassembly thatincludes adjacent server racks forming a first side of a central hotaisle and adjacent server racks forming a second side of the central hotaisle;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a portion of the data center subassemblyillustrating sets of three fans above sets of adjacent server racks inwhich the sets of adjacent server racks are disposed between respectivevertical columns;

FIG. 3 is a partial view of the elevation view of FIG. 2 of a portion ofthe data center subassembly illustrating sets of three fans that arepositioned above sets of adjacent server racks that are disposed betweenvertical columns, and partially projecting over upper air foils that arepositioned above sets of adjacent server racks according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the portion of the data centersubassembly of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 showing a central hot aisle having acommon fan enclosure above the hot aisle;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view looking at the portion of the data centersubassembly of FIGS. 1-4 from below;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the portion of the data centersubassembly illustrating a cold aisle opposite the central hot aisle andlight boxes that include covers that also serve as lower air foils withrespect to upper air foils;

FIG. 6B is an end elevation view of FIG. 6A and illustrates a contouredconcave ceiling of the central cold aisle to form turbulent wakepatterns in the central cold aisle for more efficient cooling of thesets of server racks according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the portion of the data centersubassembly of FIGS. 6A and 6B showing the air foils, which also serveas light box covers, hinged up at an angle to allow access to the cabletrays;

FIG. 7B is an end elevation view of the portion of the data centersubassembly of FIG. 7A showing the air foils, which also serve as lightbox covers, hinged up at an angle to allow access to the cable trays;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cold aisle of FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7Bwith the person positioned to illustrate an exemplary height of the setsof server racks and the elevation of the air foils above the lightboxes;

FIG. 9 is an end elevation view of the portion of the data centersubassembly of FIGS. 6A-8 illustrating the hot aisle opposite thecentral cold aisle and light boxes that include covers that also serveas lower air foils with respect to upper air foils and a contouredconcave ceiling of the central cold aisle to form turbulent wakepatterns in the central cold aisle for more efficient cooling of thesets of server racks according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10A includes an exploded perspective view of the electrical lightand cable tray box and the dual purpose cover and lower air foilaccording to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10B includes an elevation view proximal to a user of the electricallight and cable tray boxes and the covers, which also server as lowerair foils according to FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C includes another elevation view of the electrical light andcable tray boxes and the dual purpose covers and lower air foilsaccording to FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10D includes another view of the electrical light and cable trayboxes and the dual purpose covers and lower air foils according to FIG.10A;

FIG. 10E is a detailed view of an extendable strut member illustrated inFIG. 10E;

FIG. 11A includes a perspective view of the contoured or concave ceilingthat is positioned above the cold aisle in FIGS. 6A-7B and 9 above;

FIG. 11B includes an elevation view of the contoured or concave ceilingof FIG. 11A that is positioned above the cold aisle;

FIG. 11C includes another elevation view of the contoured or concaveceiling of FIG. 11A that is positioned above the cold aisle;

FIG. 11D includes another view of the contoured or concave ceiling ofFIG. 11A that is positioned above the cold aisle; and

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the portion of the datacenter subassembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 8 that includes as a ceiling awave-like sheet-metal canopy above the hot aisle and crossing above thesets of three fans FIGS. 1-5 , and crossing above the cold aisle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to an air flow distribution system forserver racks that significantly reduces the power requirements forcooling server racks within data centers.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described withreference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a data center subassembly 10 thatincludes adjacent server racks 21 a, 21 b, . . . , 21 n forming a firstside of a central hot aisle 25 and adjacent server racks 22 a, 22 b, . .. , 22 n forming a second side of the central hot aisle 25.

A set of active air circulation members or forced air circulationmembers, e.g., three fans 31 a, are disposed above server rack 21 a anda set of active air circulation members or forced air circulationmembers, e.g., three fans 32 a, are disposed above server racks 22 a.Other sets of active circulation members or forced circulation members,e.g., fans, are also correspondingly disposed with the other serverracks 21 b, . . . , 21 n and 22 b, . . . , 22 n. The fans 31 a, 32 a arepositioned to circulate air in the upward vertical direction to removeheat from the central hot aisle 25.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are elevation views of the portion of the data centersubassembly 10 mounted on floor 165 and illustrating sets of activecirculation members or forced circulation members, e.g., sets of threefans 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d, 32 e, 32 f, above sets of adjacent serverracks 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22 d, 22 e, 22 f, respectively. Sets of adjacentserver racks 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22 d, 22 e, 22 f are disposed betweenrespective vertical columns 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427.

As particularly illustrated in FIG. 3 , the sets of three fans 32 a, 32b, 32 c, 32 d partially project over upper air foil 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, 34d that are positioned above sets of adjacent server racks 22 a, 22 b, 22c, 22 d, respectively.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the portion of the data centersubassembly 10 showing the central hot aisle 25 having a common fanenclosure 51 above the hot aisle 25. Opposing vertical columns 411 and421 are disposed on opposite sides of the hot aisle 25. The sets ofserver racks 21 a, . . . , 21 e and 22 a, . . . , 22 e at leastpartially define the hot aisle 25.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view looking at the portion of the data centersubassembly 10 of FIGS. 1-4 from below illustrating the data centersubassembly 10 mounted on floor 165.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the portion of the data center subassembly 10(with column 422 omitted) and a cold aisle 45 opposite central hot aisle25 with a person 5 standing in the cold aisle to illustrate oneembodiment of the height of the sets of server racks 22 a, 22 b. Thesets of server racks 22 a, 22 b . . . at least partially define the hotaisle 25 and the cold aisle 45. Electrical enclosure assemblies 50 a and50 b include electrical enclosure receptacles or light and cable trayboxes 52 a, 52 b, and are disposed immediately above adjacent sets ofserver racks 22 a, 22 b, respectively. The light and cable tray boxes 52a, 52 b include cable support members, e.g., upper cable tray 621 andlower cable tray 622. The upper cable tray 621 and lower cable tray 622support cables that may carry electricity and/or data to and/or from thesets of server racks 22 a, 22 b . . . . The cables may includeelectrically conductive cables, fiber-optic cables, or other types ofcables for conveying power, control signals, data, and the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10A-10E, in conjunction with FIGS. 6A and6B, the electrical enclosure assemblies 50 a, 50 b include electricalenclosure receptacles or light and cable tray boxes 52 a, 52 b andcovers 54 a, 54 b, respectively, for the electrical enclosurereceptacles or light and cable tray boxes 52 a, 52 b that also serve asfirst or lower air foils with respect to second or upper air foils 34 a,34 b. That is, upper air foils 34 a and 34 b are positioned at asuitable distance D1 above lower air foils 54 a and 54 b, respectively.

The first or lower air foils or covers 54 a, 54 b are configured andmovably coupled to cover the electrical enclosure receptacles 52 a, 52 b(see FIGS. 10A-10E) that are configured to receive cables 6211, 6222(see FIG. 8 ) or a support member, e.g., cable trays 621, 622,respectively (see FIG. 8 ), for the cables 6211, 6222 for the sets ofone or more server racks 22 a or 22 b. The cables 6211, 6222 may includean electrical cable, a fiber-optic cable, or a combination of anelectrical cable and a fiber-optic cable. The sets of three fans 32 a,32 b are positioned to exhaust cold air from the common fan enclosure 51at an angle Φ1 with respect to the vertical of approximately 45 degreestowards a ceiling member 65 above the adjacent sets of server racks 22a, 22 b.

The cold aisle 45 includes a contoured or convex ceiling member 75extending at least partially along the cold aisle 45. The contoured orconvex ceiling member 75 is disposed a distance D2 from the upper airfoils 34 a, 34 b such that a portion of the cold air flowing from thesets of three fans 32 a, 32 b is deflected downwardly into the coldaisle 45 by the contoured or convex ceiling member 75 and the upper airfoils 34 a, 34 b, as indicated by the arrows A. The distance D2 definesthe dimension of an effective nozzle throat defined by the upper airfoils 34 a, 34 b and the contoured or convex ceiling member 75. Theceiling member 75 thus includes a convex surface 751 that interfaceswith the air indicated by arrows A flowing from the hot aisle 25 to thecold aisle 45. The ceiling member 75 is disposed at least partiallydownstream of the upper air foils 34 a, 34 b.

Another portion of the cold air flowing from the sets of three fans 32a, 32 b is deflected downwardly into the cold aisle 45 by the upper airfoils 34 a, 34 b and the lower air foils 54 a, 54 b through the areadefined by the distance D1.

As can be appreciated by the foregoing, the first or lower air foils 54a, 54 b include surfaces 541 a, 541 b that are convex with respect tothe air flow indicated by the arrows A. The second or upper air foils 34a, 34 b include first surfaces 341 a, 341 b that are concave withrespect to the air flow indicated by the arrows A and concave withrespect to the surfaces 541 a, 541 b of the lower air foils 54 a, 54 bthat are convex with respect to the air flow indicated by the arrows A.The second or upper air foils 34 a, 34 b include second surfaces 342 a,342 b that are convex with respect to the air flow indicated by thearrows A.

In conjunction with the electrical enclosure assemblies 50 a, 50 b, theelectrical enclosure assemblies 50 a, 50 b each may further includelighting enclosure assemblies 521 a, 521 b that are configured toreceive at least one lighting member 522 a, 522 b, respectively, that isconfigured and disposed to project light L, wherein at least a portionof the lighting enclosure assemblies 521 a, 521 b forms an extension 54a′, 54 b′ of the first air foils or covers 54 a, 54 b. The lightingenclosure assemblies 521 a, 521 b may each further include at least onelighting member 522 a, 522 b disposed in the lighting enclosureassemblies 521 a, 521 b, respectively.

The light L may project vertically downward toward the floor 165supporting the sets of one or more server racks 22 a, 22 b. In oneexemplary embodiment, the electrical enclosure assemblies 50 a, 50 b mayfurther include the second or upper air foils 34 a, 34 b (in conjunctionwith support of the second or upper air foils 34 a, 34 b by at least oneof the vertical columns, e.g., column 421 or column 423 or both). Due tothe forced flow of the air from the contoured or convex ceiling member75, the upper air foils 34 a, 34 b and the lower air foils 54 a, 54 b,both portions of the air flowing therefrom are formed into turbulentwake patterns 100 in the cold aisle 45.

The formation of the turbulent wake patterns 100 results in enhanced,more efficient cooling of the sets of server racks 22 a, 22 b. Increasesor decreases in the strength or occurrence of the turbulent wakepatterns 100 may be controlled by varying the operating speed of atleast one fan in the sets of three fans 32 a, 32 b. Consequently, thefirst or lower air foils, which also serve as covers, 54 a, 54 b, thesecond or upper air foils 34 a, 34 b, and the contoured or convexceiling members 75 are aerodynamically designed to create the turbulentwake patterns 100.

Thus, an air flow distribution system 80 for cooling of the sets ofserver racks, e.g., server racks 22 a, 22 b, is defined by at least oneserver rack, e.g., server racks 22 a, 22 b, at least partially defininghot aisle 25 and cold aisle 45, a first air foil, e.g., lower air foils54 a, 54 b, disposed above the one or more server racks 22 a, 22 b, anda second air foil, e.g., upper air foils 34 a, 34 b, disposed above thefirst air foil, e.g., lower air foils 54 a, 54 b, wherein the first airfoil 54 a and/or 54 b and the second air foil 34 a and/or 34 b areconfigured to receive the air indicated by arrows A from the hot aisle25, and to form turbulent wake patterns 100 in the cold aisle 45partially defined by the one or more sets of server racks, e.g., 22 aand 22 b.

The air flow distribution system 80 may further include at least oneactive circulation member or forced circulation member, e.g., the setsof three fans 32 a, 32 b, the ceiling member 65, the contoured or convexceiling member 75, at least one of the second or upper air foils 34 a,34 b, and at least one of the first or lower air foils 54 a, 54 b, suchthat the configurations and geometrical relationships between thesecomponents cause the formation of the turbulent wake patterns 100 in thecold aisle 45 as described herein.

In one exemplary embodiment of the air flow distribution system 80, thecold aisle 45 includes a planar or flat surface such as ceiling member65′ extending at least partially along the cold aisle 45, as illustratedby the dashed line in FIG. 6B, as opposed to the contoured or convexceiling member 75. The planar or flat surface ceiling member 65′ isdisposed a distance D2′ from the upper air foils 34 a, 34 b such that aportion of the cold air flowing from the sets of active circulationmembers, e.g., three fans 32 a, 32 b, is deflected downwardly into thecold aisle 45 by the planar or flat surface ceiling 65′ and the upperair foils 34 a, 34 b. The distance D2′ defines the diameter of aneffective nozzle throat defined by the upper air foils 34 a, 34 b andthe planar or flat surface ceiling 65′.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the portion of the data center subassembly 10of FIGS. 6A and 6B showing the electrical equipment enclosures or lightand cable tray boxes 52 a, 52 b and the air foils 54 a, 54 b, which alsoserve as light box covers, hinged up at an angle θ of about 35 degrees(with respect to the initial position of the air foils 54 a, 54 b asillustrated in FIG. 6B) to allow access to the cable trays 621, 622.Thus, the first air foils 54 a, 54 b are configured to rotatably move toenable access to the one or more cables 6211, 6222 or the supportmembers, e.g., cable trays 621, 622, of the one or more cables 6211,6222, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cold aisle 45 of FIGS. 6A-7B withthe person 5 positioned to illustrate an exemplary height of the sets ofserver racks 22 a, 22 b.

As described above with respect to FIG. 6B, FIG. 8 also illustrates thatthe first or lower air foils or covers 54 a, 54 b are configured andmovably coupled to cover an electrical enclosure receptacle 52 a or 52 b(see FIGS. 10A-10E) that is configured to receive cables 6211, 6222 or asupport member, e.g., cable trays 621, 622, respectively, of the cables6211, 6222 for the sets of one or more server racks 22 a, 22 b. Thecables 6211, 6222 may include an electrical cable, a fiber-optic cable,or a combination of an electrical cable and a fiber-optic cable.

Additionally, FIG. 8 also illustrates the electrical enclosureassemblies 50 a, 50 b, each of which may further include lightingenclosure assemblies 521 a, 521 b that are configured to receive atleast one lighting member 522 a, 522 b, respectively, that is configuredand disposed to project light L, wherein at least a portion of thelighting enclosure assemblies 521 a, 521 b forms an extension 54 a′, 54b′ of the first air foils or covers 54 a, 54 b. As previously described,the lighting enclosure assemblies 521 a, 521 b may each further includeat least one lighting member 522 a, 522 b disposed in the lightingenclosure assemblies 521 a, 521 b, respectively. The light L may projectvertically downward toward the floor 165 supporting the sets of one ormore server racks 22 a, 22 b. The lighting members 522 a, 522 b may be,for example, linear light-emitting diodes (LED) such as a Model S-LineS1200 manufactured by Integrated Illumination Systems, Inc. of Morris,Connecticut, USA.

FIG. 9 is another end elevation view of the portion of the data centersubassembly 10 showing light and cable tray boxes 51 a, 51 b, . . .disposed immediately above adjacent sets of server racks 21 a, 21 b, . .. , respectively. Upper air foils 33 a, 33 b are suitably positionedwith respect to lower air foils 53 a, 53 b, . . . and upper air foils 34a, 34 b, . . . are suitably positioned with respect to lower air foils54 a, 54 b, . . . to cause the turbulent flow in cold aisle 45 asdescribed herein. The contoured or convex ceiling member 75 is alsopositioned with respect to the upper air foils 33 a, 33 b, . . . tocause the turbulent flow in cold aisle 45 as described herein.

FIGS. 10A-10E include an exploded perspective view (FIG. 10A) andorthogonal views (FIGS. 10B, 10C, 10D and 10E) of the electricalenclosure assemblies 50 a, 50 b that include the electrical enclosurereceptacles, e.g., light and cable tray boxes 51 a, 51 b, . . . , 52 a,52 b, . . . , and the dual purpose covers and lower air foils 53 a, 53b, . . . , 54 a, 54 b . . . .

More particularly, FIGS. 10A-10E illustrate the dual purpose covers andlower air foils 53 a, 53 b, . . . , 54 a, 54 b . . . positioned abovethe light and cable tray boxes 51 a, 51 b, . . . , 52 a, 52 b, . . . .The light and cable tray boxes 51 a, 51 b, . . . , 52 a, 52 b, . . .include a first upper lateral wall 501 and a second upper lateral wall503 positioned parallel to the first upper lateral wall 501. The lightand cable tray boxes 51 a, 51 b, . . . , 52 a, 52 b, . . . furtherinclude transverse brace member 510 proximal to a user and upper rearpanel member 512 distal to a user. The first upper lateral wall 501 andthe second upper lateral wall 503 are each orthogonally joined to theupper rear panel member 512.

Both the first upper lateral wall 501 and the second upper lateral wall503 are each defined by a partially curved wedge-shaped convex profile505 and 507, respectively, that is configured to mesh with surfaces 542a, 542 b (or 532 a, 532 b) on sides of the first or lower air foils 54a, 54 b (or 53 a, 53 b) that are opposite to surfaces 541 a, 541 b (or531 a, 531 b) that are convex with respect to the air flow as describedherein with respect to FIG. 6B. The transverse brace member 510 supportsthe first upper lateral wall 501 and the second upper lateral wall 503at the respective tips of the partially curved wedge-shaped convexprofile 505 and 507.

The electrical enclosure receptacles, e.g., light and cable tray boxes51 a, 51 b, . . . , 52 a, 52 b, . . . , also include first lower lateralwall 502 and second lower lateral wall 504 that are each orthogonallyjoined to a lower rear panel member 516 that is distal to a user. Thefirst lower lateral wall 502 and second lower lateral wall 504 arejoined at proximal ends by the transverse brace member 510.

The electrical enclosure receptacles, e.g., light and cable tray boxes51 a, 51 b, . . . , 52 a, 52 b, . . . , are also configured such thatthe lower rear panel member 516 projects distally from the upper rearpanel member 512 and the lower transverse edge 512′ of the upper rearpanel member 512 is joined to the upper transverse edge 516′ of thelower rear panel member 516 by a transverse panel member 514.

The first upper lateral wall 501 and the second upper lateral wall 503each include rectangularly-shaped apertures 623 and 625, respectively,that are each configured to receive and support cable support member orupper cable tray 621. Correspondingly, the first lower lateral wall 502and the second lower lateral wall 504 each include rectangularly-shapedapertures 624 and 626, respectively, that are each configured to receiveand support cable support member or lower cable tray 622.

Thus, the surfaces 542 a, 542 b of the lower air foils 54 a, 54 b definea concave profile that meshes with the partially curved wedge-shapedconvex profiles 505 and 507 of the first and second lateral walls 501and 503, respectively.

Referring again to FIG. 10E, the lower air foils 54 a, 54 b also serveas covers for the electrical enclosure receptacles, e.g., light andcable tray boxes 51 a, 51 b, . . . , 52 a, 52 b, . . . . The covers orlower air foils 54 a, 54 b are joined to the first upper lateral wall501 and the second upper lateral wall 503 via extendable strut members531 and 533, respectively. The extendable strut members 531 and 533enable the covers or lower air foils 54 a, 54 b to be elevated or hingedup at the angle θ of about 35 degrees (with respect to the initialposition of the air foils 54 a, 54 b as illustrated in FIG. 6B), asdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B, to allow access to thecable trays 621, 622.

FIGS. 11A-11B include a perspective view (see FIG. 11A) and orthogonalviews (see FIGS. 11B, 11C, and 11D) of the contoured or convex ceilingmember 75 that is positioned above the cold aisle 45 in FIGS. 6A, 6B,7A, 7B, and 9 above. The contoured or convex ceiling member 75 includesthe convex surface 751 that interfaces with the air indicated by arrowsA flowing from the hot aisle 25 to the cold aisle 45, as described abovewith respect to FIG. 6B. On the side opposite to the convex surface 751,the contoured or convex ceiling member 75 includes a concave surface752. The concave surface 752 includes first and second parallel lateralstrips 761 and 762, respectively, that enable attachment of thecontoured or convex ceiling member 75 to the ceiling member 65 or toceiling member 65′. The contoured or convex ceiling member 75 mayfurther include contoured reinforcing rib members 771, 772, 773, 774that are disposed transversely to bridge the lateral distance betweenthe first and second parallel lateral strips 761 and 762 and areconfigured to mesh with the concave surface 752 so as to reinforce thestructural integrity of the contoured or convex ceiling member 75.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the portion of the datacenter subassembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 8 , namely a portion of a datacenter subassembly 10′ that differs from the portion of the data centersubassembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 8 by the inclusion of a wave-likesheet-metal canopy 85 above the hot aisle 25 and crossing above the setsof three fans 31 a, 31 b, . . . 31 n, . . . , 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, . . . ,32 n and above the sets of server racks 21 a, 21 b, . . . , 21 n and 22a, 22 b, 22 c, . . . , 22 n described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5 ,and crossing above the cold aisle 45 described above with respect toFIGS. 4, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8 and 9 . The wave-like canopy 85 serves as analternative ceiling member to ceiling member 65 above the hot aisle 25and adjacent sets of server racks 22 a, 22 b and the contoured or convexceiling member 75 above the cold aisle 45.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing description of the variousfigures, in some embodiments, the upper air foils 34 a, 34 b and lowerair foils 54 a, 54 b, are elliptical and generally parallel to eachother. The ceiling member 65, which may be convex, or the planar or flatsurface ceiling member 65′, and the upper air foils 34 a, 34 b may forma nozzle to create a turbulent wake pattern 100 within the cold aisle 45(or, in other embodiments, in the hot aisle 25).

In view of the foregoing description of the air flow distribution system80 and the electrical enclosure assemblies 50 a, 50 b, those skilled inthe art will recognize that, as best illustrated in FIG. 6B, theforegoing description also enables a method for distributing air flowfor cooling server racks. More particularly, the method includesdisposing at least one server rack, e.g., server racks 22 a, 22 b, atleast partially defining the hot aisle 25 and the cold aisle 45 andcausing air to be directed between a first air foil, e.g., lower airfoils 54 a, 54 b, that are disposed above the one or more server racks,e.g., server racks 22 a, 22 b, and a second air foil, e.g., upper airfoils 34 a, 34 b, disposed above the first air foil, e.g., lower airfoils 54 a, 54 b, wherein the air exiting from the first air foil 54 a,54 b and the second air foil 34 a, 34 b form turbulent wake patterns 100in the cold aisle 45.

In one exemplary embodiment, the method may include causing the air tobe directed between the ceiling member 65′ that is disposed above thesecond air foil 34 a, 34 b and the second air foil 34 a, 34 b andbetween the first air foil 54 a, 54 a and the second air foil 34 a, 34b, wherein the air exiting from the ceiling member 65′, the first airfoil 54 a, 54 b, and the second air foil 34 a, 34 b form turbulent wakepatterns 100 as illustrated by arrows A in the cold aisle 45 partiallydefined by the one or more server racks 22 a, 22 b.

In one exemplary embodiment of the method, ceiling member 75 isconfigured as a convex surface 751 that interfaces with the air flowingfrom the hot aisle 25 to the cold aisle 45. The method may includecausing the air to be directed between the ceiling member 75 configuredas a convex surface 751 and the second air foil 34 a, 34 b and betweenthe second air foil 34 a, 34 b and the first air foil 54 a, 54 b,wherein the air exiting from the ceiling member 75, the second air foil34 a, 34 b, and the first air foil form 54 a, 54 b turbulent wakepatterns 100 in the cold aisle 45 partially defined by the one or moreserver racks 22 a, 22 b.

In one exemplary embodiment of the method, the first air foil 54 a, 54 bis configured and movably coupled to cover electrical enclosurereceptacle 52 a or 52 b (see FIGS. 10A-10E) that is configured toreceive cables 6211, 6222 or a support member, e.g., cable trays 621,622, respectively, of the cables 6211, 6222 for the sets of one or moreserver racks 22 a, 22 b. The method may include causing the air to bedirected between the first air foil 54 a, 54 b that is configured andmovably coupled to cover the electrical enclosure receptacle 52 a or 52b and the second air foil 34 a, 34 b.

In one exemplary embodiment of the method, the first air foil 54 a, 54 bis further configured to rotatably move to enable access to the one ormore cables 6211, 6222 or the support members, e.g., cable trays 621,622, of the one or more cables 6211, 6222, respectively. The method mayinclude causing the air to be directed between the first air foil 54 a,54 b that is configured to rotatably move to enable access to the one ormore cables 6211, 6222 or the support members, e.g., cable trays 621,622, of the one or more cables 6211, 6222, respectively.

In one exemplary embodiment of the method, the cables 6211, 6222includes an electrical cable, a fiber-optic cable, or a combination ofan electrical cable and a fiber-optic cable. The method may includecausing the air to be directed between the first air foil 54 a, 54 bthat is configured and movably coupled to cover the electrical enclosurereceptacle 52 a or 52 b and the second air foil 34 a, 34 b.

Although the foregoing disclosure describes the air flow distributionsystem 80 and corresponding method as utilizing the first or lower airfoils 54 a, 54 b . . . and the second or upper air foils 34 a, 34 b . .. to form turbulent wake patterns 100 in the cold aisle 45 partiallydefined by the at least one server rack 22 a, 22 b . . . , or the firstor lower air foils 54 a, 54 b . . . , the second or upper air foils 34a, 34 b . . . , and the ceiling members 65′ or 75 to form turbulent wakepatterns 100 in the cold aisle 45 partially defined by the at least oneserver rack 22 a, 22 b . . . , or the first or lower air foils 54 a, 54b . . . , the air flow distribution system 80 and corresponding methodmay also be effected by utilizing only the second or upper air foils 34a, 34 b . . . , and the ceiling members 65′ or 75 to form the turbulentwake patterns 100 in the cold aisle 45 partially defined by the at leastone server rack 22 a, 22 b . . . , or only the second or upper air foils34 a, 34 b . . . to form the turbulent wake patterns 100.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings and/or described in the specification, it is not intended thatthe disclosure be limited to these embodiments. It is intended that thedisclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that thespecification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description shouldnot be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications ofparticular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision othermodifications within the scope and spirit of the claims set forth below.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air flow distribution system for coolingserver racks, the air flow distribution system comprising: a first airfoil disposed above at least one server rack partially defining a hotaisle and a cold aisle, the first air foil at least partially enclosinga top portion of the at least one server rack; a second air foildisposed above the first air foil; and at least one air circulationmember configured to direct air flow from the hot aisle over the firstair foil and the second air foil to form air patterns in the cold aisle.2. The air flow distribution system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a ceiling member disposed near the second air foil.
 3. Theair flow distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the ceilingmember includes a convex surface that interfaces with the air flow fromthe hot aisle to the cold aisle.
 4. The air flow distribution systemaccording to claim 3, wherein the ceiling member is disposed downstreamof the second air foil.
 5. The air flow distribution system according toclaim 4, wherein the first air foil includes a surface that is convexwith respect to the air flow, and the second air foil includes a firstsurface that is concave with respect to the air flow and a secondsurface that is convex with respect to the air flow.
 6. The air flowdistribution system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aircirculation member includes at least one fan.
 7. The air flowdistribution system according to claim 1, wherein the first air foil isconfigured to cover an electrical enclosure receptacle.
 8. The air flowdistribution system according to claim 7, wherein the first air foil isrotatably coupled between vertical columns.
 9. The air flow distributionsystem according to claim 1, further comprising a lighting enclosureassembly configured to receive at least one lighting member configuredand disposed to project light, wherein at least a portion of thelighting enclosure assembly forms an extension of the first air foil.10. The air flow distribution system according to claim 9, furthercomprising at least one lighting member disposed in the lightingenclosure assembly.
 11. A data center subassembly comprising: at leastone first server rack and at least one second server rack defining a hotaisle between the at least one first server rack and the at least onesecond server rack; first air foils disposed above the at least onefirst server rack and the at least one second server rack, respectively,the first air foils at least partially enclosing top portions of the atleast one first server rack and the at least one second server rack;second air foils disposed above the first air foils, respectively; andat least one first air circulation member and at least one second aircirculation member configured to direct air flow from the hot aisle overthe first air foils and the second air foils, respectively, to form airpatterns.
 12. The data center subassembly according to claim 11, whereinthe at least one first air circulation member and the at least onesecond air circulation member each include at least one fan.
 13. Thedata center subassembly according to claim 11, further comprisingceiling members disposed near the second air foils, respectively. 14.The data center subassembly according to claim 13, wherein at least aportion of the ceiling members includes a convex surface that interfaceswith the air flow.
 15. The data center subassembly according to claim13, wherein the ceiling members are disposed downstream of the secondair foils.